Hartlepool's Poppy Appeal star invited to Buckingham Palace after record-breaking year

Poppy appeal star Sian Cameron is off for a trip to the palace after another record-breaking year.
Sian Cameron who has been invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace for her work with the Poppy Appeal.Sian Cameron who has been invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace for her work with the Poppy Appeal.
Sian Cameron who has been invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace for her work with the Poppy Appeal.

Hartlepool Appeal organiser Sian has done it again, smashing the town’s fundraising total for the seventh year running.

Together the town has brought in a whopping £62,700, which is £4,000 up on last year’s final total.

Sian Cameron with her late father Ian.Sian Cameron with her late father Ian.
Sian Cameron with her late father Ian.
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Now the 36-year-old, who was recently named one of the UK’s Points of Light, has received further recognition with a royal invite to a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

But for Sian, who took up the role in her late father Ian’s memory, it has never been about the recognition.

She said: “You don’t think about any of this when you get involved, you just want to do your bit to help.

“Of course it is nice, but if all of this went away there would still be the Poppy Appeal and all the work still to be done.”

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Sian was again keen to point out that the appeal’s fundraising success comes down to a whole team of people, friends, family, volunteers, and of course every single person who buys a poppy.

“There is nothing quite like the camaraderie that comes from working on the stalls, talking to the public and finding out why it is so important to them,” added Sian.

“It is overwhelming how generous people are, they would give their last penny for this worthy cause.”

Excited to have received her royal invite Sian, who is centre support manager at NETA Training Group, said: “It’s not something I have ever considered before, but I am looking forward to it.

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“I think it is all the pomp and ceremony that goes with it and the fact it is such a British institution. It will be nice to take in the atmosphere.

“I am over the moon and honoured.”

Sian added that she was surprised, but delighted that the appeal had once again beaten the previous year’s efforts.

She said: “It is a bit surreal really.

“It’s unbelievable.

“When times are hard for people it is fantastic that they continue to be so supportive of the charity and the work that it does.”

The appeal is the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) biggest fundraising campaign held every year in November, the period of Remembrance.

Each year, an army of volunteers distribute the iconic paper poppies throughout the nation, collecting donations in return to help support the vital work the RBL does for the Armed Forces community.